What does historic designation mean for West Palm Beach homeowners?

How does designation work in West Palm Beach?

The city adopted its first historic preservation ordinance on November 26, 1990, and has been a Certified Local Government since 1992. Individual properties must be at least 50 years old and have architectural merit or a significant historical association.

Owners in a proposed district must be notified and can comment at the required public hearings, but once a district is designated, owners cannot opt out. Districts include contributing properties and non-contributing ones (altered buildings or buildings newer than the district's period of significance); both are reviewed, and a non-contributing building can become contributing if historic features are restored. Designation does not require restoring a house to its original condition.[2][1]

What changes need city approval?

A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is required for work that changes the exterior appearance, including the back of the building, and historic approval is required before any permits are issued. Applications are filed through the city's Civic Access online portal.

• Staff-level review: additions visible from the front that are under 10% of the existing footprint, and non-visible additions under 20%
• Site walls, fences, decks, patios, pergolas and sheds: staff review
• Fences: vinyl is not permitted; chain link generally is not permitted unless screened by planting; wood and aluminum are allowed if they meet zoning height and setback rules
• Not reviewed: interior remodeling and paint colors (staff can recommend period palettes)[1][2]

What about demolition and property taxes?

Demolishing an individually designated building or a building in a historic district requires Historic Preservation Board review, and buildings that contribute to a district are generally not approved for demolition. Historic staff review all demolition permits in the city.

Designation does not change property taxes, which are based on value. Under the city's Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program, in effect since February 14, 1994 and authorized by section 196.1997, Florida Statutes, qualifying improvements can be exempt from City and County tax increases, up to 100% of the improvements' assessed value, for up to 10 years. You must apply before starting work, and the 20% federal credit administered by the National Park Service applies to income-producing properties; consult a CPA. To check whether a property is designated, contact the Planner on Call at (561) 822-1461 or planning@wpb.org.[1][2][3]